Making the Frame Saw | Paul Sellers

[@BradPow]

Paul Sellers is the Bob Ross of woodworking. I'm at peace and in awe when he's working and teaching

[@Barrygee]

That's exactly how I describe Paul sellers!

[@MrBuschBrock]

Watching this video, amongst others by Paul, has reassured me that I too, though disabled, can become a woodworker exercising my upper body. Thanks Paul!

[@KuntaKinteToby]

Before Paul's videos I thought I wanted to do woodworking. After them I absolutely know I do. The care and skill in craftsmanship is not appreciated in any other industry in 2022.

[@dfu1685]

Thank you for your efforts Paul! I need to make 2 of these. I watched 2 or 3 other videos before yours and you make it more simple by just speaking about the important things to shoot for yet adding detail when required. That is how it feels to me when I watch You. Thank you!

[@gondebas]

I cannot resist a smile when I see your precise strokes done with that simplicity and quickness :-)

[@felixbertoni]

4:19 the way he uses his fingers to stay parallel when tracing is so natural I had to watch like 3 times wondering "wait, how can he make so perfect lines by hand only ?" even if thinking about it, this technique is quite logic to use.

[@1stinlastout165]

Experience gives you the feeling in what you can and cannot do, but mistakes can still happen know matter how many years you have done it, the skill is how to hide it lol carpenter 45 years.

[@tayyabsafdar7069]

Its nothing special for some people, who have developed coordination of mind eyes and hands, these are the most needed, the hands the ultimate, are at the top because they translate what the the idea originates in mind, eyes are fiber optics. Practice practice.......practice..... Paul has spent half a century....... regards.

[@thomashanson6607]

I finally finished 2 of them today. 1 6 tpi one 9 tpl. Took long enough, but I'm happy with the way the saws cut.

[@gcbound]

I made this saw just recently using the video. It was a fun project. (BTW, now I have *two* vegetable cans being used in my woodwork :) I put on a new Highland blade for ripping, and that cost less than ten dollars. The wood cost about two dollars at a big box store. But I used existing hand tools (plane, saw, rasp) to construct it. I used Paul's sharpening video to get the tool really sharp, and it cuts quite aggressively, enough btw so that you really need to watch those fingers when starting the cut. I may change the rake a bit to tame it a bit (and give me needed practice). Thanks for the video, Paul.

[@MrShobar]

Broken band saw blades used in the inexpensive motorized bandsaws imported from China and Taiwan (to the U.S.) work great for these saws. Many thanks, Paul.

[@TheBarry1394]

Thank you Paul for taking your time and showing us how to make such cool and affordable tool. I got the parts for mine a long time ago, and finally today got around making it. For being the first time I made anything like a mortise and tennon, and having forgoten the measurements and proportions, the final product was actually really good. Cheers from Argentina!

[@thomassellner9360]

Frame saws are really common here in Germany, even available with Japanese sawtooth blade nowadays... It's rare to find someone who still can sharpen and set handsaw blades, its not taught at school by teachers or the apprentice.. it's cheaper to replace it. Time is Money and so on... But I will just build me one myself with this perfect "how to do..." thank you Mr. Sellers, for sharing your Knowledge with us!!

[@roberte.wilson5213]

It seems interesting how different cultures and locations made saws different ways. This stuff always amazes me.

[@doct0rnic]

This video really helped me out first starting into wood working. I had no money to buy a tenon saw but when I saw this, I bought the blade from highland and in an hour I had a saw, thanks a bunch Paul!

[@carrichard]

I'm very impressed, your demonstrations of making things fit together, using various applications . You remind me of my father's woodworking abilities taught to him years ago from Germany !! Thank you very much !!

[@CathieZimmerman]

I love watching Paul work. He makes it all look so easy!

[@Exiledk]

I just found five of these saws in a rubbish container today. I asked it I could take them. Took them home with me and cleaned them up. 5 very different saws, all in working condition. Large and small rip cut, large and small cross cut and a small coping saw. Can't believe my luck....

[@sharpeguns1]

I saw Benniti use this saw and turn in to complete a cutout of dovetails, in 1 motion. It was quite amazing. Thanks for showing how to make the saw. I imagine you could make a series of these. Like I have done with my German saws with different blades. Easy and no changing of blades.

[@archkde]

I figured I might share a little bit of global perspective of this magnificent tool. In traditional Korean woodworking (which is surprisingly quite different from Japanese woodworking), the bow saw is made from a frame using a combination of both bamboo and hardwood, and is arguably one of the most important tools for a Korean cabinetmaker. This is because Korean cabinetmaking frequently necessitates an incredibly large amount of extremely accurate hand resawing to accomplish bookmatching of incredibly intricate inlaying and parquetry patterns. If anyone's interested, I can provide more information/links.

[@gustavgans6013]

I am. Go for it 🙂

[@TheVimeo]

please do. I would like to see/read

[@privateportall]

I was going to comment about why the design is the way it is... but it becomes really clear towards the end of the video. Thanks again for the great content Paul :).

[@shinerunnah]

I have several frame saws in my shop, and a few I made for camping/hiking. They're awesome, and you can use pieces of band saw blade for many cutting operations.

[@foxsfortunes9229]

This man is a true master of his craft! He makes it look so simple! I love the resourcefulness also, using basic tools to make more tools! It's incredible! It seems like a wood saw, a tenon saw, chisel set, spoke shave and a plane are pretty much all you need! Legend!

[@nerferfan]

I saw this video in my sub box and got SO excited. Love every one of your videos Paul.

[@MegaMetinMetin]

30+ minute video :D

[@javanbybee4822]

@@MegaMetinMetin ok?

[@naomimartinez9385]

Mr. Sellers I am enjoying your videos. I also get a bit of a kick out of seeing you add nice curves to your work. Nothing that isn't nice to look at as well as useful. Thank you.

[@murraylowe8677]

I made one of these but I used a steel cutting blade which was five and a half feet long to cut through a fender on a trailer which had more than one wall to cut through. But I had to use a ready rod or all thread to give enough tension to the blade. It also allowed me enough depth of cut to make the full cut in one effort. They are a pretty good saw.

[@edwardrittersdorf8553]

Paul Sellers is the Bob Ross of woodworking

[@cowbridgedance]

Thank You Paul. Always a delight to watch and listen to you.

[@johnburens3395]

This is my go to saw! If you haven't made one of these I think you need to give it a try! Great saw for many things.

[@weneedtogoback8553]

One of my fave woodworkers on KZbin. Paul you work extremely fast and accurate. Love your technique. You teach me a ton. God bless you and thank you for sharing your knowledge online.

[@kaiwenhe5518]

asian have been using it for thousand years , some people like it some people dont . I love it.

[@laurahristo]

Great stuff!! Thank you Paul for sharing. I just made one this afternoon in about an hour or so, used a spare bow saw blade and cut some logs for the stove. The next one will be with finer blade. My boys had great time helping. Thank you

[@bogusbandit3700]

These videos are fantastic and I really enjoy watching them, what I can`t understand are the dislikes. Are they made by tool retailers or just disgruntled haters.

[@Rahuldhebri]

I'm only 16 now and I want to become a master craftsmen like you

[@Rahuldhebri]

+bjørn tønnesen thanks

[@Rahuldhebri]

+Albi thanks for your wishes, and I'll upload videos on KZbin

[@TomHowbridge]

I really hope you do :) I make videos and I am 16 and I hope you can get some inspiration/motivation from me :)

[@briarfox637]

Do it! Start working wood and practice to be efficient and proficient. I've been doing it only a couple years and wish I started young. Go for it guy! Learn from the masters. Paul Sellers will steer you straight.

[@IamtheActionman]

+rahul dhebri That's awesome to hear! Roll up your sleeves and get started :) Hope top see some of your work one day

[@a0flj0]

Usually you _do_ need turned parts for it - the handles. Typically, there are two holes at the points of the frame where the blade is attached. Two handles with a cylindrical ending that has a slit cut lengthwise into it are pushed through those holes, and the blade is fastened with pins into the two handles, not into the frame itself. This allows for the blade to be rotated around its length. This way, you can start straight, make a cut a few inches down, as much as the frame lets you, then angle the blade and cut away strips from a panel, or board - the tensioned wide blade will take care of the cut remaining straight with not too much guiding effort. Another use is curved cuts. Besides the wide blade used in this video, there are blades as narrow as 6 mm (about 1/4") - or were, in the past, narrowest I could find to buy recently was 8 mm (that's 1/3"). By constantly tilting the narrow blade by rotating the handles in their holes, you can cut mostly any curve through any board not wider than twice the distance from the blade to the horizontal beam parallel to it. There's a video somewhere here on YT of a guy named Frank Klausz who cuts dovetails in softwood using such a saw - with no chiseling at all for one of the pieces. Worth watching, IMO, to see what such a saw can do in the right hands. Maybe one thing worth noting is that whether it cuts on the push or the pull is your decision. The saw is symmetrical, you can use it both ways. Personally, I prefer to cut on the push - the tensioned blade never bends or catches, and the cut is faster. With a wide, properly tensioned blade, it's difficult to _not_ cut straight, IME. Using it requires some practice. Sharpening and setting the teeth requires a lot of practice too. Aigning the handles, when you don't have the blade fixated to the frame directly, also requires practice (or at least a lot of patience) - not getting this alignment right guarantees crooked cuts, so you immediately know if they're aligned or not. But I feel it's more productive than a short tenon saw with small teeth in many cases, and quite precise too, once you get used to using it. The significantly longer stroke also helps with precision, IME.

[@lukedupont8564]

What Paul introduces here is the joinery version of the bowsaw (he mentions this on his blog). This has fallen out of favor a bit, but is still used in France apparently, and is depicted in tons of Historical manuscripts -- they're made just like this, with a fixed blade and no handles. It's the simplest to make hence why Paul probably started with it. As for bowsaws with turning blades (which I prefer too), another common way is to not turn handles, but rather use bolts which are split with a hacksaw and a pin hole drilled. So, you don't have handles, but you can turn the blade. This was used in many parts of Europe -- again, I think in France especially -- and is common in other parts of the world such as China, where they're still made this way. This can be easier for beginners who don't have a lathe or tapered reamer to make the handles.

[@khalidtarawneh2289]

Thnx for taking the time and showing full detail with all there is to know about how u build these awesome tools.

[@beffdiamonds]

Great project Paul, always look forward to your videos. My grandfather, father & uncles always had frame saws - wish I had kept them. I'll have to make one to keep up with their traditions.

[@waybatch1506]

"Does that work or what?...I dont think I could beat that." You have to love Paul Sellers, that's as sure as an Amen in church.

[@garren25]

i have had a blade like this for about 10 years now and had never made the frame for it.... no more excuses now i guess... thanks Paul. great job explaining the process

[@MischiefEmil]

This was one of the first project we had to do in middle school woodworking :D

[@jlinkels]

Currently there seem to be two kinds of mainstream outlets where to purchase woodworking equipment. One selling equipment like Veritas. Probably good quality but extremely high in price. Like $250 for a hand saw. And the one like Rockler.com which sell gadget, jigs and "handy tools" by the dozen. Typically for the not-so-gifted woodworker who thinks it will help him finish the product. Now my point, related to this video. The 600mm saw blade can be had for under $10. The spruce is in your scrap box and it takes 1 hour (Paul) or 1 week (me) to build it. And it might be the best saw you ever have and (cite) lasts a century. Now, how many REAL improvements have been made in woodworking tools the past hundred years? That is why I love these lessons by Paul.

[@magicman9486]

well said. we don't need expensive tools to make quality furniture. Don't forget the tools you already have!! You can make amazing dovetails with a bandsaw. If our forebears had power tools they would have used them. I am a Master craftsman with 40 years experience, use what you have. these frame saws are within everyone's reach. Build something great.

[@amo757]

Agree 100%.

[@TimTrOn3000]

@@magicman9486Sorry, but power tool dovetail sounds like nails on a chalk board.

[@miko007]

i think you missed one point. here in germany the blade on this saws (we call them "carpenters saw"), the blade is usually twistable, so when you set the blade 90 degrees on your wood, the frame of the saw is at an slight angle. this counter-balances the saw, and you make perfect perpendicular cuts every time. this feature is the whole point of the saw. we also have those "tenon saws", but for other applications (they are usually used here to cut baseboards), the carpenters saw comes in handy, whenever you have to make long, straight, perpendicular cuts.

[@genin69]

yes I think I saw a video with Frank Claus using this blade.. its incredible.. just no idea how they are made

[@johnbesharian9965]

@VicPapefu May I suggest you try a method such as found on a typical hacksaw? Which would amount to a square mortice oriented in a diamond pattern in the two upright arms with a square rod or bar inserted w/a pin to hold the blade on one end and a cross pin or dowel through the other to keep them in place against the pressure. Size and strength requirements are up to you to determine. After all, the solving of puzzlements is a part of the joy of this inexact art.

[@reynaldobravotejada4063]

Did a pair of the variety with tilting blade, such a useful tool....its life Began on the mobile toolbox dissasembled an now my preferred backsaw is accumulatind dust... :( . Great thing about this is tha i bought literally the cheapiest ugliest back saw with a joke as a back, and it turned out to be perfect( that cheap steel blade and fine teeth make fine cuts and the long push can be very silent) obviously i cut it with a dremel and made a bunch of free card scrapers. Best 25 soles(8$) spent ever. And best 36 min spent by this millenial, a like is just not enough to thank paul.

[@dontspamkoth]

Lee Valley sells these saw blades as replacement blades for their miter box saws. You can get them in 22" to 25", 10 tpi to 32 tpi. Price is $18-$20.

[@mrfine4437]

They are crosscut...

[@rickcheckland]

And all impulse hardened unsharpenable

[@738polarbear]

@@rickcheckland The blade from Highland Woodworking or Dieter Schmidt that he is using is impulse hardened.

[@738polarbear]

Good call.

[@MadofaA]

Can you relax an impulse hardened blade, for example by heating the teeth to a glow, cool slowly, and then sharpen?

[@elrickinslayer5821]

Superb project,Paul.I'll be telling my students to watch and perhaps we'll make this as a first tool for their tool boxes if we get the time at the end of this academic year.Many thanks.

[@nodbod-b2t]

I made a smaller version this saw modelled on the one Paul shows here. It uses a 2-sided blade (Hacksaw/Wood, 24x311mm). These are cheap and readily available where I am in Eastern Europe. The hacksaw side cuts dovetails quite well. I have made many small boxes using this saw. I would include a photo but I'm not sure how to do this.

[@Dr6623DR]

Tage Frid cut dovetails with a frame saw. It was the first saw I bought as a new woodworker years ago and I still use it everyday in my shop

[@arthurcamargo3430]

Awesome techniques with simple hand tools! I’m going to make one, Thank you🤙😎

[@mefishn]

fantastic Paul. Just getting into woodworking and needed a saw for tenons, etc. Better tool than my crosscut handsaws. Keep up the great videos. Big fan.

[@dvollie]

Just made my first one. There is more detail in the project video on his Master Class site. The $15 per month for that site is the best money I have ever spent on woodworking education!

[@RickYorgason]

I made one of these a couple weeks ago with a bucksaw blade. Excellent for portaging, since it comes apart into just three sticks.

[@carlosbarreiro3056]

Nice project Paul Sellers. I love all your projects. thank you for your disposal to teach us.

[@henrypeterson1981]

EXCELLENT presentation. Thank you very much. This is a great project to work on with the young nephews.

[@kycolonel1001]

ok i watched this video ten times and I am going to start the project TODAY!! thanks for all your great videos

[@beernd4822]

Hi Paul, I am really glad i discovered your channel. I love the projects and you explain very well.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Another excellent example of practical craftsmanship. Thanks!

[@mihumus]

The frame saw has always caught my attention. As always, the video was very interesting, thank you very much Paul.

[@MegaMetinMetin]

The difference in a woodworker and a expert , Pual sellers knows his work

[@MetroDET2011]

He knows about working with wood in a shop. Nothing about really lumberjacking or falling.

[@MegaMetinMetin]

Yeah i can see that, but he has a lot of experience just looking at his hands etc

[@tangle70]

+MetroDET2011 He has fell trees before in his life.

[@rdouthwaite]

+MetroDET2011 That's like saying a master stone mason doesn't know anything about quarrying or a master baker doesn't know anything about cutting wheat from the field.

[@MegaMetinMetin]

Gosh just saying hes experienced

[@barrieeaton5125]

Sorry Paul, just seen the "show more" section referring to your blog and found all the info on blades that I require. Thanks

[@cornflake73]

I often wondered how to make one of these saws. Now I do and I will attempt to do one myself. thanks for the video.

[@RamonHernandez-ux4uz]

Hey Paul, You are an Artist. Thank You

[@Iamwood1005]

That will indeed last a 100 years, even more if its coated with a wood protect finish. And in 100 years The frame may break, saw might get used up, But whats even better is, this video will exist and live as long as youtube exists..and thats going to be a very very very long time mr.sellers. You have no idea what an iconic video you have created.

[@benadams6332]

Very nice, thanks. I always liked the feel of a good frame saw, they seem to cut with less effort due to the tensioned blade compared to other saws. My dad always told me to release some of the tension once done for the day, otherwise the saw might start twisting.

[@kf4744]

+Alfred Stampe Yeah, back in highschool my woodworking teacher told us to do the same thing.

[@josephnewman1545]

+Alfred Stampe I guess that's why the design evolved to be so easy to tension/de-tension, rather than a threaded tensioner (also cheaper, fewer purchased parts--better all-around).

[@aserta]

When i was a kid i made one of these in a learning program. The biggest difference was that the wood used was oak (probably because as kids we would murder a light wood like the in the video) and the radius was slightly smaller. One other difference is that we used wood dowels for the blade, but the blade (which i still have) has larger holes than modern ones.

[@MRrwmac]

Very nice build. Of course the demo and instruction were excellent! Thanks for sharing.

[@sunforever1255]

Thank you so much, Paul , you are really good on that what your doing. Please and I mean it verry serious , continue with this videos, they are the best . Be blessed.

[@pepitogamez]

wow my dear master, thanks for this video. best regards from mexico city.

[@garymccraw1466]

Awesome Saw and Video Paul Thanks

[@insAneTunA]

It is a bit like watching Bob Ross (R.I.P.) You make it look so easy, and yet at the same time one can see the experience that you have. Great videos, I appreciate it a lot. Don't change a thing if not needed :-) Big thumbs up for the inspiration !

[@Kalimerakis]

What a cool design this is. Very simple but very effective. Great video, thank you :)

[@spoonerbooner]

The designs at least 800 years old

[@valterleao6795]

Sempre uma verdadeira aula, uma excelência no que faz❗️ Abraço aqui do Brasil 🇧🇷

[@jazzman1626]

I tried to find a source of blades for the frame saw. Even looking under “bow saw” as they’re sometimes called all I see is those metal framed saws for cutting trees with. Those blades have large, rip-it-to-shreds type blades, not suitable for dovetails. I “saw” a really nice frame saw on eBay but if I ever needed a 14” long replacement blade, I haven’t a clue where to get one.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Beautiful video and tool!

[@makewhatyoulike119]

I just found your channel and I love the way you work.

[@christianvale3618]

Is that a new camera? Picture quality is amazing now! I have been waiting for this video to come out for some time on how to make the bow saw. I aspire to one day be at least half the craftsman you are! Keep it up!!!!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Great video! Very helpful and simple... thanks!

[@blaksin]

Okay i need one of those planes; masterful as always Mr Sellers

[@steveforrester2217]

Mr Sellers, you are the best!

[@lrbrad4d]

That is very slick. I like it. Great job.

[@sthenzel]

Got an old bow saw, 30s to 50s maybe, with a tiltable blade and a wire string running through an eyebolt that is tightened by a wingnut. Most likely factory made, with a coarse blade more suitable for construction work, but doesn´t matter. Works like a charm, good depth of cut, blade never bucks (can happen on ripsaws, as they often are used for crosscutting here).

[@johngainey9162]

hi paul enjoyed your video ==i have made a number of bow saws but am finding difficult to obtain blades now ==i have just made 2 turned bow saws one in pine one in oak -there has never been shown turned bow saw in the past history of the saw or todays==but they are more attractive ==take care of your self and family ---

[@georgeclarke1183]

how does Paul make this so easy i am very impressed

[@earlystrings1]

I learned to use these saws in Germany. I think they were originally developed to make use of small, thin blades when tool irons and steels were made in small quantities by hand. That blade probably has less than a quarter of the material of my big Disston ripsaw.

[@joaomarinovieira7050]

Grato, Paul, será de muita valia em minha pequena oficina.

[@stephengent9974]

I think it is strength to weight that makes spruce so good. It was used for making aircraft frames in the early days of aviation, and of course it was plentiful, and so cheap.

[@HadzirLP]

+Stephen Gent Weight to strength ratio is called specific strength. And many woods are stronger than steel (if you would believe that!). Wood is an amazing material! Lightweight, strong, cheap, flexible if needed, carbon neutral.

[@marfoo2775]

Excellent video, thank you!! I'll try to make a smaller version for finer work and smaller hands.

[@richardpeterson3753]

i made this frame for my pocket chain saw.with a bit of fiddleing it worked awesome

[@coldblu357]

What an amazing tutorial. I am so going to make this now. Thankyou!👍🏼😎

[@jorgefernandez8774]

felicitaciones por tan lindo trabajo y gracias por compartirlo jorge de argentina

[@reablack152]

Respect Paul! Thank you for the lovely video!

[@MrHristoB]

My granddad had one, my dad had one and i just made one today... Great project! Thanks for sharing Paul

[@magicdaveable]

Nice build. Thanks for your insights.

[@AndreaArzensek]

Melina might be lighter and stronger than spruce, nevertheless spruce is readily available and inexpensive wood. Great video and simple but superb tool! Cheers!

[@azemont]

Thank you Mr. Sellers, wonderfull video!

[@WV591]

Entertaining as always. I bet master Paul has the lowest electric bell of any woodworker in the shop. even the drill is man powered ;-)

[@NoWheyHombre]

You might enjoy the "Unplugged Woodshop" on youtube, I think the channel is an unplugged life

[@GH-sx6tk]

Ive been waiting for this one for so long! thanks Paul. can't wait to make it!

[@TheAngryMushroom]

I enjoyed it. So helpful. Thank you Paul!

[@richardpeterson3753]

good vid.pretty good technique in wood work.easy to follow.

[@LeopoldUlysees]

An elegant and versatile tool.

[@stringmanipulator]

Love all your videos Paul !!!

[@Diozark]

Just finished making my first frame saw, looks good for my first one. Actually built it while waiting on the blades, I need to work on getting the beam joints tighter, and the blade, should have measured it or held it in place, the invoice says it was 26 1/2" but it is a little off, the holes on center are 26 9/16" Just enough to not fit, had to drill two new holes, ... I can always do it again, spent a lot of time shaping the handle, and the string curves.

[@michealfigueroa6325]

Around here, what Mr Sellers is building is called a "buck saw" Here "bow saws" are a bit smaller and great fun to build. The builder can use any manner of creativity in the build. I've done five and no two are the same.